RETAIL ROUNDUP

8 new Houston stores selling clothes, accessories, and sunglasses

There is something to be said about entering a store with its unique branding, atmosphere, and smell — yes, that wonderful scent wafting through the air is not a coincidence — that makes shopping in real life just plain fun. Shoppers can get an up-close look at designs, touch fabrics, and try things on, alleviating worries about incorrect sizes, lengths, or fits. While it might be easier to add to cart on phones or laptops, brick-and-mortar stores have long been upping their game to compete with the convenience of online shopping.

Houston boutiques and national brands are attracting shoppers away from their phones by adding a bevy of fashion hot spots to the city's retail landscape. April is a big month for savvy consumers because, just in time for the spring and summer buying frenzy, Houstonians have several new shopping destinations to choose from. It is time to put down the phone, step away from the laptop, and walk through the eight newest shops in Houston.

Eight One
Known for its trend-setting lifestyle offerings, including hats, shoes, clothing, and accessories, Houston-based Eight One recently opened an outpost in M-K-T Heights. Eight One's flagship brand, New Era, and other notable names like Mitchell & Ness, Saucony, and Vans will be available for purchase.

Frock Shop
Houston-based apparel and accessory boutique Frock Shop opened its second location in M-K-T Heights. The boutique, founded in 2019 by Selina Standford, offers elevated luxury brands and ready-to-wear pieces. Notable designer brands at the M-K-T boutique include Xirena, Nation, Staud, Farm Rio, Ulla Johnson, ALC, Tanya Taylor, and Cleobella.

HeyDude
Summer is the perfect time to stock up on the newest comfy "it" shoe from HeyDude. Now open in Houston Premium Outlets, HeyDude offers airy slipper-like shoes in several styles, including the iconic Wendy and Wally shoes.

Maria Tash
Fine jewelry designer and luxury piercing expert Maria Tash will open her second Texas location in the Houston Galleria this month. Favored by Taylor Swift, Blake Lively, and Gigi Hadid, Tash is known for her unique stylings and Curated Ear collections. In the Galleria boutique, shoppers can look forward to eye-catching travertine details, leather and metallic accents, and beautiful lighting to enhance Tash's jewelry.

Psycho Bunny
Its iconic logo and bright colors are the hallmarks of New York-based brand Psycho Bunny. Its latest outpost in Houston Premium Outlets offers a range of men's clothing and accessories, including polo shirts, tees, and outerwear that combine classic styles with an edgy touch.

Simply Southern
It is hard to believe that Simply Southern, the all-American preppy lifestyle brand, has been around for over a decade. Usually found in boutiques and big box stores like Academy, Simply Southern has a new store in Houston Premium Outlets. Shoppers can find the brightly colored shirts and sweatshirts the brand is known for.

Solaris
Get the latest trends in sunglasses at the newly opened Solaris in Houston Premium Outlets. The boutique offers classic, fashion, and luxury brands catering to every kind of sunglasses fanatic.

Tommy Bahama
Renowned for its relaxed approach to luxury, Tommy Bahama combines refined styling, island-inspired designs, and high-quality materials. Tommy Bahama fans can now live the island life at the brand's newest store in Houston Premium Outlets. The boutique offers tropical-themed men's and women's apparel, beach gear, or home décor.

Photo courtesy of Psycho Bunny

Psycho Bunny is one of the newest stores in Houston Premium Outlets.

psycho bunny frock shop houston premium outlets mkt heights tommy bahama maria nash where to shop in houston shopping

VAULT VIBES

Houston fashion star Chloe Dao marks 25 years with epic clean-out sale

Photo courtesy of Chloe Dao

From January 24- 31 Chloe Dao will open her personal design archives to mark 25 years with a rare boutique vault sale.

For Houston fashion devotees, this is the kind of news that prompts a calendar alert and a group chat with the besties. Chloe Dao is celebrating 25 years in fashion by doing something she has never done before: opening the vault.

From January 24 through January 31, the Chloe Dao boutique will host a 25-Year Anniversary Clean-Out Vault Event, releasing pieces from Dao’s personal design archives alongside curated boutique items that have been held back for years. Once they are gone, they are gone for good.

“This is not a typical sale; this is an anniversary moment,” Dao says. “It’s an intentional release, a moment of reflection and gratitude, and a way to make space for what’s next. Once these pieces are gone, they’re truly gone."

For the first time ever, shoppers will be able to snag select designs from past collections and limited production runs, and Dao has confirmed she will be parting with some of her couture designs. Shoppers can expect more than 300 items, with more than half of the boutique included in the sale event.

Chloe Dao design Select runway couture and past collection pieces headline Chloe Dao’s 25-Year Anniversary Clean-Out Event.Photo courtesy of Chloe Dao

Everything in the anniversary sale will be discounted 65 percent or more. Fan favorites, including the Houston T-shirt and Aya scarf, will be priced at $15 to $20, down from $42 to $68. None of the released pieces will be reproduced or restocked.

There is also a very personal moment behind this big event. Dao shared that she is planning for the future, including her eventual retirement in about 5 years, making this the right time for a shift.

“It is bittersweet, and I’m still torn about letting go of some of my archive pieces. But a close friend stopped by the boutique this past Saturday and reminded me that I can always create more. That really stayed with me. I’ve missed designing for my store, and this sale feels like a reset — a chance to return to what I love most: designing eveningwear," Dao tells CultureMap. "The past six years, especially post-COVID, were very much about survival mode. Now, if I’m going to truly survive and thrive in today’s retail landscape, my focus is shifting back to my own line and less on curation.”

Following her Project Runway Season Two win and decades of success, Dao says the milestone is also about gratitude for the city that supported her from the start.

“Think of it as an archive release and a chance to own a piece of my history as I celebrate 25 years in fashion. Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I’m so excited to share this moment, and this milestone, with you."

25-Year Anniversary Clean-Out Vault Event, January 24 - January 31, Chloe Dao Boutique, 600 N Shepherd Dr #115, in M-K-T Heights.

chloe dao anniversary sale chloe dao retirement chloe dao